Extended security updates (ESUs)

?

2014 (12.x)

This article provides information on how to receive Extended Security Updates (ESUs) for

versions of SQL Server that are out of extended support.

Extended Security Updates (ESUs) are available for SQL Server 2014 (12.x).

ESUs released for

2014 (12.x)

include the most recent cumulative update (CU). If

you only applied

general distribution release

(GDR) updates during the normal support period,

install and validate the latest CU at the time you subscribe to receive ESUs, instead of waiting

until the first ESU is released. This preemptive validation avoids potential problems when

installing the ESU later.

Microsoft makes ESUs available

once a security vulnerability is discovered and rated

as

by the

Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC). Therefore, there’s no regular

release cadence for SQL Server ESUs.

ESUs don’t include:

New features

Functional improvements

Customer-requested fixes

For information about ESU pricing, see

Plan your Windows Server and SQL Server end of

support.

For more information about other options, see

end of support options.

You can also review the

Frequently asked questions.

When SQL Server reaches the end of its support lifecycle, you can sign up for an Extended

Security Update (ESU) subscription. The subscription protects your servers for up to three years

after the support lifecycle ends. Keep the subscription until you’re ready to upgrade to a newer

version of SQL Server or

migrate to Azure SQL.

The method of receiving Extended Security Updates depends on where your SQL Server is

running.